Video processing system having improved internal switching capability

Abstract

A digital video switching apparatus has a matrix switch which receives a plurality of input video signals and connects certain of the input video signals as outputs thereof. The input video signals can be externally supplied or can be internally generated by video processors within the switching apparatus. The connection of certain of the input video signals as outputs of the matrix switch is determined by a plurality of first switch signals. The first switch signals are generated by a selection circuit. The selection circuit receives a plurality of second switch signals and in response thereto generates the first switch signals. A plurality of user activatable switches generate the plurality of second switch signals. A plurality of displays is associated with the user activatable switches and displays the functions of the associated user switch. The video switching apparatus further has the capability of changing the assignment of the connection of certain of the input video signals to certain of the output video signals as activated by the user activatable switches.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A digital video switching apparatus comprising: a first switch means for receiving a plurality of input video signals and for providing a plurality of output video signals;   a plurality of video processor means, each for receiving an output video signal from said first switch means and for generating a processed video signal in response thereto;   means for supplying said processed video signals as input video signals to said first switch means;   a second switch means for generating a plurality of first switch signals;   said plurality of first switch signals supplied to said first switch means for activating the connection of certain of said plurality of input video signals to certain of said plurality of output video signals;   a plurality of user activatable switch means, for generating a plurality of second switch signals with each of said user activatable switch means generating a second switch signal;   a plurality of display means, each associated with one of said user activatable switch means for displaying the function of the associated user activatable switch means;   said plurality of second switch signals supplied to said second switch means for generating said plurality of first switch signals; and   means for changing the assignment of the connection of said certain of said plurality of input video signals to said certain of said plurality of output video signals, as activated by said user activatable switch means.   
     
     
       2. The switching apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for communicating said switching apparatus with a video processing apparatus external to said switching apparatus;   means coupled to said communicating means for receiving data representing alphanumeric text information from said video processing apparatus; and   means for displaying said received text information on said plurality of display means.